Families discuss raising kids with emotional issues

Conference lets 250 discuss children's emotional problems

One by one, the parents shared the struggles that they had faced raising troubled children who at times lurched out of control.

Two single mothers, a great-grandfather and a single dad made up a panel who told their stories at a conference Thursday in Ventura devoted to research and programs aiding children with mental and emotional problems.

The conference drew 250 people to the Ventura Beach Marriott to hear about promising approaches, including treatment of the growing number of children being diagnosed with juvenile bipolar and autism disorders.

The panel of parents, who appeared in one of 10 breakout sessions, described the 24/7 challenge of raising children and searching for help.

&quot;It's one big journey,&quot; said a Thousand Oaks man, whose two sons have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The Star is not identifying the panelists to protect the privacy of their children.

The insurance broker said his older son, now 20, started showing problems at 4. He was diagnosed with attention, conduct and emotional disorders before doctors finally decided that he was bipolar, a serious mood disorder marked by both depression and mania.

The boy was treated with medication after medication, gaining weight and developing twitches as side effects, but doctors kept trying more drugs, he said.

&quot;He just became a walking pharmacy until he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder,&quot; the father said.

His son has recently been promoted to a retail manager's position and is living with him, he said.

&quot;There is the promise of a new day,&quot; he said. &quot;I would have never dreamt I would have the relationship I have with him.&quot;

The panelists said they found support through United Parents for Families in Crisis, a nonprofit organization that put on the panel.

The two single mothers said they had no family support but were making it.

&quot;I'm OK. I'm not great, but I'm OK,&quot; said one mom who had two children with psychological problems.

The woman said that she is from India and that her family offered no support.

Her son, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, was removed from the home after she could not control him.

The woman said she got more support from other parents than professionals.

Another mom, pregnant herself at 16, said she is trying to raise a daughter who got into gangs and stealing. Counseling efforts failed until the girl got into the juvenile justice system, she said.

&quot;It is Juvenile Hall that gave me structure,&quot; she said. &quot;They're the father she never had. We need more hard-core structure.&quot;

The fourth panelist, a 72-year-old retiree from Camarillo, said he and his wife are raising their three great-grandchildren. His granddaughter had to give them up because of drug problems, although she is now recovering, he said.

&quot;I am offering hope to her and her kids,&quot; he said.

This was the 16th year that the conference has been offered. It is sponsored by a variety of mental health, religious and educational organizations.